*“Ready to Love” is revving into the Motor City as the hit OWN dating series returns November 7 with 20 dynamic singles stepping into Detroit’s vibrant, soulful energy.
This season’s cast reflects the city’s rich blend of artistry, intellect, and ambition, featuring a chef, seamstress, songwriter, attorney, teacher, and even a mathematician. Each participant arrives ready to break down walls, build meaningful connections, and pursue lasting love in one of America’s most culturally influential and entrepreneurial cities. Hosted by longtime actor, comedian, and radio personality Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles, the series continues to explore the real-life dating journeys of successful Black men and women in their 30s and 40s.
For Miles, choosing Detroit was not just strategic – it was overdue. “So Detroit was just a perfect fit for right now,” he said, reflecting on the show’s past settings across the South and East Coast. Calling the city “such a historical spot,” he praised its talent and the strength of its singles. What sets them apart, he said, is unmistakable style: “These people in Detroit know how to put some clothes on. You hear me? They know how to dress.”
That authenticity and confidence, Miles shared, is what has made “Ready to Love” resonate with fans season after season. “I think because our viewers are realizing that this is real. We don’t pull any punches. We’re not sugarcoating anything. It is what it is,” he explained. He believes audiences also see reflections of their own relationships in the cast, adding, “You started seeing people that it relates to… and you start seeing, here’s some changes I need to make in my life.”
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Guiding the singles through emotional highs and lows is a responsibility Miles takes seriously. His approach blends humor and heart, grounded in the belief that vulnerability is essential for growth. “I think it’s my job to make sure, first of all, you’re vulnerable, that you want to open up and show what you haven’t shown in the past,” he said. Because many cast members are successful professionals seeking connection later in life, he pushes them gently: “Whatever you’ve been doing hasn’t been working.”
And viewers can prepare for unforgettable moments among the new Detroit lineup. “Oh, there’s some standout personalities for sure,” Miles teased. He hinted at a season full of flair, fashion, and memorable characters, adding with a laugh, “You’re going to see a young man, you swear he’s the prince of Zamunda.” He even urged fans to keep an eye out for one specific moment: “Remember this note, what Tommy looks like at the Motown party.”
Miles’ passion for the series is rooted in purpose. Hosting continues to be rewarding because of the transformations he witnesses. “I like the fact that I can make a connection that I’m still able to guide people in the right direction and hopefully find what they’re looking for,” he said. Even when the journey doesn’t end with romance, he’s proud to help participants walk away empowered and feeling: “I have now what it takes to find me a partner.”
That sense of gratitude is deeply connected to a milestone he celebrates this year: being three years cancer-free following his thyroid cancer diagnosis in 2022. The experience changed his outlook. “I don’t take anything for granted anymore,” he shared. He calls his recovery “a blessing all day, every day.”
His battle inspired a personal mantra that grew into a movement: “Don’t Cancer Me Out.” The phrase has become a brand and charitable effort supporting people navigating cancer treatment. Miles explained, “Each month… we give to somebody that’s going through this cancer journey, whether it’s 500 or 1000 bucks.”
When asked what advice he would offer men dating today, Miles emphasized emotional openness. “We keep a lot of stuff closed in,” he said, urging men to lower their guard. “If you’re going to find who you’re looking for on the dating scene, you gotta be man enough to say, I’m gonna take my armor off.”
As “Ready to Love: Detroit” prepares for its premiere, Miles hopes new viewers and longtime fans will feel the power of witnessing genuine connection. “Being able to see black love unfold… and how genuine and how rich it is,” he said, is what keeps audiences tuning in. “It’s natural. It’s not fake. It’s not sugarcoated… It’s love. It’s real. It don’t get no better than that.”
“Ready to Love: Detroit” premieres Friday, November 7, at 9 pm ET/PT on OWN.
Watch our full conversation with Nephew Tommy below.
*This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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